LOZSteve

Dobyns Champion XP 805CB search Amazon for Dobyns 805cb, Vendor ALF has it listed for $208. I just bought one a couple of weeks ago through them.

Definitely not the 853 it's way too soft and you will not get good hooksets. I agree with 873 for Texas rigged plastics like brush hogs, 10 inch worms, and 1/2 ounce jigs. I also like the 893 for lighter plastics and 3/8 ounce jigs. The only advantage for the 854 that I like for 3/8 ounce jigs is skipping around docks because it has more flex in the tip of the rod, but I don't like it as much for Texas rigs. My favorite for these weights with plastic and jigs would be the 873.

Agree with iabass8 703sf is what you are looking for . The 702 is too light and hook sets will not be good. Agree if you are waivering call Dobyns and they will walk you through what rod you should get. I would say look around as every rod from Dobyns I have purchased I was able to get at a reduced price. I have a Champion 734c, 705cb, 805cb, and a 703sf extreme. I will say I use Dobyns for moving baits mostly vs bottom contact. I find Gloomis more sensitive for dragging plastics or jigs.

It comes down to what are you willing to spend your hard earned money on? For me it has always been Shimano because I know the product I am buying will last. I will say I bought a Diawa last year, Zillion reel, which I have been impressed with but longevity remains to be seen.

That's your fault for attempting laundry, not sure I know how to turn ours on. With that said no ones perfect, I am sure she won't hold a grudge for too long.

Mr Crappie cam lock fine wire hooks, size 6. I have caught hundreds of crappie, blue hill, bass and catfish with these easy to remove and rarely hook them deep. Can get them at basspro or Walmart. Good luck and have fun.

Welcome aboard, keep throwing that Texas rig-great way to catch lots of fish.

There are a couple of utube videos dedicating to the s waver. I would start there and someone else will chime in with more experience on this as well. I haven't been willing to dedicate the 25 hours yet to mine.

I agree with what Kickerfish1 said 100% - that advice is right on track. My spinning set up is a Dobyns extreme hp 703. My favorite rods are Gloomis and Megabass Orochi xx, and Dobyns that I have tried. You mention the other techniques and then interest in NRX. I have a NRX 854, 873, and 893, all are good but the 893 and 873 are my favorites by far. All these rods I fish bottom contact techniques- soft plastics, jigs, shakeyhead, etc. The 893 is a great Texas rig and lighter jig rod. The 873 is a great 3/8 to 1/2 ounce plastics and jig rod as well as a Carolina Rig rod. I like the 854 for pitching around docks or throwing heavier shakeyheads with senko style baits. For top water and jerkbaits I have a Megabass Jerkbait Special rod that I think does a nice job. I hear a lot about the Dobyns 704/705 for these applications also, the size of the baits you like to throw would narrow down which one. I also have a Dobyns Champion 734 that is a very nice versatile rod for heavier top water, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, etc. I would recommend three things (1) watching Bassresource high end combos utube video as there are come good suggestions in there, and (2) calling Tackletrap like Kickerfish1 suggested, (3) calling Dobyns Rod company and talking to them for suggestions. I enjoy the high end gear but make sure you give a lot of thought to it so you aren't stuck with a $400-$500 rod you don't enjoy fishing.

Welcome, Glad you got back into fishing, keep throwing the jig and good things will happen.

Always use this knot. Have had issues in the past with Floro breaking until using this. If tying and there is a problem with this knot and you cinch it you will know, the line will break.

Renters or homeowners insurance will cover your sporting goods equipment up to the max of what is written in for the item. Of course if filing a claim you will have a deductible. On my home I think my coverage would be $1500. Unless you upgrade your coverage which can done through your agent. Auto insurance won't cover anything in your vehicle that isn't permanently attached to the vehicle, so if in a wreck or stolen there would not be any coverage. So key here is be careful with rods and tackle when you travel. If in your boat the policy will cover theft of rod and tackle or if your rods bounce off the deck into the water if not strapped down when running.

With practice and proper reel, line, lure weight set up you shouldn't have any issues. I don't have any experience with that line of rods but every rod with the exception of my jerkbait rod is 7 foot or longer. I would put a heavier lure 1/2 ounce or better and get some practice casting. Once you are more comfortable with the rod you can back down the lure weight. Make sure to double check the specs on the rod for lure weight and line weight. For lure weight you can typically add the weights together and divide by two and this should be close to the sweet spot for lure weights to throw on your rod.

As I recall if you fish 6 of his tournaments you are invited on a wildcard to the year end tournament. Each year it is on a different lake. Last year it was on Kentucky Lake. You can also qualify via points by how you finish but I can't remember exactly how many teams qualify that way. The cost of the tournaments is 150.00 with an extra 20.00 side pot. End of the year tournaments was kinda cool but took too long for the meeting day before and with prizes and the drawing for the boat give a way. They do have a website - bwsta.com

I have fished the Ozarks division for Lake of the Ozarks. Like a lot of tournaments the amount of boats have declined in the last 5 years or so, but there is still some decent competition. I think 80% payout. All in all it's pretty good. They have an end of year tournament I have been to a couple of times.

Vision 110 will pause nose down. I throw them on 10lb fluorocarbon, if it bothers you too much swap the back hook for one size larger. I would probably leave it alone until you have some time under your belt fishing it and have caught a few fish with it!

Both good platforms to fish out of. 2014 was in a Ranger 519c, 2015 a Bass Cat Eyra, and end of 2016 into this year in a ZX225. There are subtle differences but they are both are heavier boats that ride well and are laid out similar. The back lockers in the Skeeter are a little larger front storage similar as I recall. I like the SHO but have known guys that have blown up both...so? The Skeeter glides more at idle speeds, or it drifts to the right/left when you are docking / trailering it. The Skeeter pops up quick on plane and is easy to drive. All in all you can't go wrong in either boat. I agree to be sure you need to test drive. Having fished out 10 boats in the last 20 years I can say their all different even at similar price points. Good luck with your decision.

X2

NRX893c and a Curado 70. With a little searching you should be able to score this for around $600.

Agree with a Blue here, shaky head is generally a senko or trick worm and a swinghead is a Biffle Bug, Strike King Rodent or Structure Bug.

I really enjoy fishing jerkbaits on my Megabass Orochi XX Jerkbait special, 6'8" rod with a Chronarch 50e an 10lb Fluorocarbon line. The other rods I use are backups so they are medium/fast 7 foot rods that I use typically for other applications. I like the shorter rod for sweeping down versus to the side.

Only one good reel in that list and starts with Shimano. Chronarch's will provide years of hassle free use.

Reoccurring theme here Diawa Zillion sv tws 7:3:1. When set right this reel is easier to pitch skip or roll cast skip a jig than my Shimano's. I bought mine off eBay for $250.00 shipped to the door.

Have been using Shimano for 15 years and fortunately never had any problems. I have a couple of reels still in my everyday lineup that are 15 years old. I have owned Calcutta, Curado e7, and Chronarchs. My latest reel is the Diawa Zillion SV TWS which so far has been outstanding. The reel excels with skipping jigs and not backlashing and it also is easy to cast along way. It's very smooth and easy to dial in, I highly recommend it. I can't speak to the longevity of Diawa but this reel has been great.

I bought the 854 nrx for 3/8 ounce jig plus trailer. The rod has good tip and casts well but doesn't fish like a heavy. I started with fluorocarbon and have switched to using braid with a leader. With braid I'm not missing fish on the hook set. I find myself using this rod most for skipping jigs around docks or fishing heavy shakey heads. I also have the 893 nrx which I use for a light texas rig rod, and the 873 nrx which is a great 1/2 ounce jig, heavy texas rig, or carolina rig rod. I like the 893 and 873 rods better than the 854 but with that being said the 854 is still a good rod.